Senior Project Manager

Auckland Council Group; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Auckland Council Group is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead the planning and delivery of complex strategic projects and programmes in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Reporting to the Head of Enterprise Project Management Office, you will coordinate cross-functional teams, establish delivery plans and manage governance decisions.

You will drive change management, operational readiness and transition into business as usual, with a strong focus on delivering outcomes across multiple

Qualifications

• Strong project management disciplines, with experience managing budgets, financial forecasts, delivery risks and changes to approved scope.
• Experience developing or assessing business cases, preparing decision papers and presenting recommendations to sponsors or governance groups.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and achieve outcomes through influence in a matrix environment.
• Strong interpersonal, influencing and communication skills, with credibility at senior management and governance levels.
• Strategic and analytical thinking, commercial acumen and sound judgement when information is incomplete or priorities change.
• Experience coordinating organisational change, operational readiness and transition to business as usual.
• A relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent in business, human resources, change management or operations management, together with formal training and professional certification in a recognised project management methodology.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of complex strategic projects and programmes, ensuring alignment with approved business cases, strategic priorities and agreed outcomes.
• Develop business cases and presentations to support project approvals and governance decisions.
• Lead cross-functional project teams, agreeing responsibilities, deliverables and resource commitments.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, resources, risks and dependencies, and coordinate delivery across interconnected workstreams.
• Establish effective governance, reporting and assurance arrangements, providing clear advice on progress, forecasts, delivery options and decisions required.
• Integrate change, engagement, communication and training activities into delivery plans, and coordinate operational readiness, handover and closure.
• Build collaborative relationships with stakeholders and delivery partners, manage supplier performance and incorporate relevant Māori outcomes throughout delivery.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

PM certification

Job description

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• Lead complex strategic projects and programmes for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
• Be part of a driven, collaborative and outcomes-focused team

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) is delivering complex strategic projects and programmes that support organisational priorities and outcomes for Auckland. We are looking for an experienced Senior Project Manager to bring strong delivery leadership, coordinate cross-functional teams and turn strategic priorities into practical results.

Reporting to the Head of Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO), you will lead the planning and delivery of assigned complex strategic projects and programmes. Working with sponsors, senior leaders, business owners and delivery teams, you will establish clear delivery plans, manage project performance and support informed governance decisions.

You will work with a high level of autonomy within approved scope, determining appropriate delivery approaches and resolving complex delivery issues. Your work will include coordinating implementation and transition into business operations, ensuring agreed changes are embedded and ongoing support arrangements are in place.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the planning and delivery of complex strategic projects and programmes, ensuring alignment with approved business cases, strategic priorities and agreed outcomes.
• Develop business cases and presentations to support project approvals and governance decisions.
• Lead cross-functional project teams, agreeing responsibilities, deliverables and resource commitments.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, resources, risks and dependencies, and coordinate delivery across interconnected workstreams.
• Establish effective governance, reporting and assurance arrangements, providing clear advice on progress, forecasts, delivery options and decisions required.
• Integrate change, engagement, communication and training activities into delivery plans, and coordinate operational readiness, handover and closure.
• Build collaborative relationships with stakeholders and delivery partners, manage supplier performance and incorporate relevant Māori outcomes throughout delivery.

You will be an accomplished Senior Project Manager with at least 10 years’ experience in project and/or programme management, including leading complex strategic projects and programmes involving diverse workstreams, delivery risks and stakeholders.

You will have specific competencies and experience, including:

• Strong project management disciplines, with experience managing budgets, financial forecasts, delivery risks and changes to approved scope.
• Experience developing or assessing business cases, preparing decision papers and presenting recommendations to sponsors or governance groups.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and achieve outcomes through influence in a matrix environment.
• Strong interpersonal, influencing and communication skills, with credibility at senior management and governance levels.
• Strategic and analytical thinking, commercial acumen and sound judgement when information is incomplete or priorities change.
• Experience coordinating organisational change, operational readiness and transition to business as usual.
• A relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent in business, human resources, change management or operations management, together with formal training and professional certification in a recognised project management methodology.

Change management experience is preferred. Experience in a CCO or local government environment would be beneficial, alongside a good understanding of political processes and the workings of local government.This is an opportunity to lead varied strategic initiatives and contribute to economic, cultural, social and financial benefits for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

This is a full-time, permanent opportunity.

With working for TAU, as part of the wider Auckland Council Group, you'll gain access to many benefits and discounts, including discounted financial services and insurance, entertainment, lifestyle discounts and more.

In addition, you’ll be joining a team of dedicated and respected experts working collaboratively across the region to contribute to Auckland’s growth and development. We are committed to diversity and have a culture built on trust and valuing individual and collective contributions.

We may close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role and choose to progress the role with a particular applicant. If this role is of interest to you, we strongly encourage early submission.

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.